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Obama: Russia will not be pushed out of Crimea by military means

March 26 - During U.S. President Obama's trip to Brussels, he said Russia will not be pushed out of Ukraine's Crimea region by military means. Jillian Kitchener reports.

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The United States and the European Union have agreed to work together to prepare possible tougher economic sanctions for Russia.
This comes during President Obama's trip to Brussels for a summit with EU leaders.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"And if the Russian leadership stays on its current course, together we will ensure that this isolation deepens. Sanctions will expand, and the toll on Russia's economy, as well as its standing in the world, will only increase."
He said the West would prevail if it remained united.
… not by military action but by the power of its values to attract ordinary Ukrainians.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"Of course, Ukraine is not a member of NATO, in part because of its close and complex history with Russia. Nor will Russia be dislodged from Crimea or deterred from further escalation by military force. But with time, so long as we remain united, the Russian people will recognize that they cannot achieve security, prosperity and the status that they seek through brute force."
He spoke of the importance of training to ensure a credible NATO.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"The situation in Ukraine reminds us that our freedom isn't free…"
Even so, Obama stressed that the U.S. and NATO do not seek conflict with Russia.

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